​With the help of innovative technology, Bronner Bros. will be offering an exclusive digital experience designed to meet the needs of the multicultural beauty industry. The core of the virtual BB Show will be education and networking between stylists and brands. Other features include the opportunity to:

Connect: A digital marketplace will be available to exhibitors and buyers, where they can preview live demos of new products and services for sale

Elevate: Advanced educational classes on cut, color, weaves, natural haircare and other techniques, all presented by leading master instructors

Learn: A series of webinars on topics such as financial health, how to safely re-open your salon or barbershop, how to disaster proof your business, and maintaining your health behind-the-chair

Showcase: A hallmark of BB Shows, competitions will be live-streamed in an exciting and fun display of the industry’s top talent

COVID-19 has had a particularly devastating impact on the Black beauty industry. Multicultural barbers and stylists represent nearly 25% of all cosmetology professionals in the US and contribute to the textured haircare category’s estimated annual economic impact of $2.51 billion. According to a 2019 Nielsen Report, African Americans also account for nearly 86% of the total spend in the ethnic hair and beauty aids category.

​“If my father, Nathaniel Bronner, Sr., was here, he would challenge us to find a way to maximize this moment. So, the Show must go on,” said James Bronner, SVP of Show Operations. “Our goal is to help the Black beauty industry stay inspired, engaged, and educated. We have faced challenges before, and there is no doubt that we will come out of this better and stronger—because we’re in this together.”

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​​As many states prepare to reopen over the next month, Bronner Bros. wants to aid you in keeping you and your clients safe. Many beauty professionals are having difficulty finding hand sanitizer in their area. That's why Bronner Bros has used their decades of manufacturing experience to help this need.

​Atlanta will celebrate family, fitness and the Founding Fathers this fall as the AJC Peachtree Road Race moves from the Fourth of July to Thanksgiving Day in 2020. The 51st Running of the Peachtree will take place on Thursday, November 26, Atlanta Track Club announced today. It marks the first time in the event’s history that it will not be held on July 4.

“As Atlanta and the nation continue to take precautions to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19, we understand that Peachtree participants, volunteers, medical staff and the other first responders who keep them safe need more time to prepare for this year’s race,” said Rich Kenah, race director of the Peachtree and Atlanta Track Club’s executive director. “We are thankful for the opportunity to move forward together with all of Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day in a responsible and safe format.” ​

More than 45,000 people have already registered for this year’s AJC Peachtree Road Race. All confirmed participants will remain registered with no further action needed. Current registrants will also have the option to complete the race virtually, move their entry to 2021 at no charge, transfer to a new participant, donate their registration fee to Atlanta Track Club’s community initiatives or receive a refund. A full list of options can be found here.

​Additionally, Atlanta Track Club plans to reopen registration for the Peachtree on August 31 –September 6 for members of the Club. For non-members it will open September 7 and will close on September 13 or when the event reaches capacity. Kilometer Kids Charity entries will remain open throughout the spring and summer.

​The Club also announced efforts to plan and implement new safety measures at this year’s race including fewer participants on each start line, longer separation between waves, reimagining hydration stations and working with MARTA to get people to and from the event.

“As it has been for 55 years, health and safety is Atlanta Track Club's top priority. COVID-19 has pushed us to review our best practices and protocols in the areas of event and program safety,” Kenah said. “As this situation evolves and changes, we will make decisions based on the advice and information the Club receives from health experts.”

​Participants who chose to pick up their numbers in person will be able to do so at the Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo on November 23, 24 and 25 at the Georgia World Congress Center. This year’s Peachtree Junior for children ages 14 & under will be held on Friday, November 27. Registration is open now.

​The AJC Peachtree Road Race will replace the Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile and Dash, which will be canceled for 2020. The Triple Peach Series presented by Mizuno will instead include the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon on February 28, 2021. Those registered for the Triple Peach will be automatically registered unless a refund is requested

​Initiative Offers Workouts, Resources and Virtual Experiences to Stay Healthy and Active at Home

​Atlanta Track Club introduced a new initiative aimed at helping runners and walkers in Atlanta and around the world stay healthy and active while staying at home. Atlanta Track Club's The Distance is a free online resource for running workouts, training programs, live strength classes, challenges, diet and health information and more, all created by the Club's expert staff, coaches and partners.

​"We may not be able to run together, but we are all in this together," said Rich Kenah, Atlanta Track Club's executive director. "Atlanta Track Club has been focused on health and safety for 55 years. This pandemic has given that focus a new direction as we explore not just how to stay active, but how to stay active in a time of social distancing. Running City USA is ready for the challenge."

The Distance will feature weekly running and walking workouts for advanced, intermediate and beginners; running games for children, weekly nutrition advice and beginning Monday, April 20, live strength and mobility classes on YouTube weekdays at 8 a.m. In the coming weeks, The Distance will include virtual running, jumping and throwing challenges that will provide a level of friendly competition during a time when races and meets are unable to held. As the recommendations from health experts around exercising during this pandemic evolve, The Distance will create content for runners and walkers to reflect the changes.

​ "We will truly go the distance with this project," said Kenah. "As you work to understand how to continue to fit running and walking into the rapidly changing world we live; we are here to help."

​​About Atlanta Track Club

Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

​With more than 30,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world, the Publix Atlanta Marathon, PNC Atlanta 10 Miler and Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.

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Today, the AJC Peachtree Road, organized by the Atlanta Track Club, is a citywide tradition of 60,000 amateur and professional runners, attracting some of the world's elite 10k runners, and is the largest 10K running event in the world. And that's not all, the AJC Peachtree Road race also includes a wheelchair race.

On July 4, 1970, a group of 110 runners, now known as the "Original 110," completed 6.2 miles through the city of Atlanta in what would go down in history as the inaugural Peachtree Road Race. Today, the AJC Peachtree Road, organized by the Atlanta Track Club, is a citywide tradition of 60,000 amateur and professional runners, attracting some of the world's elite 10k runners, and is the largest 10K running event in the world. And that's not all, the AJC Peachtree Road race also includes a wheelchair race.

​Registrants (age 10 & older) can sign up as an individual or as part of a team. If you are interested in participating in the event with family and friends, groups of up to 10 people may enter the lottery as a team. Each member of the team must register during the lottery window, March 15 - 31, to be included in the lottery. No one can register or be added to a team after lottery registration closes. During the selection process, if a "Team" is selected, everyone in the group will receive entry into the event with each individual within the "Team" being placed in the appropriate start wave based on their finish time submitted during registration. On the contrary, if a "Team" is not selected, no one in the group will receive an entry.

Once registered for the lottery, your registration status will be listed as:

Pending Lottery - you are registered for the AJC Peachtree Road Race Lottery. You are not yet confirmed in the race.

On April 2 your status as a lottery registrant will change to one of the following:

Regardless of the day or time of registration, all individuals and groups who enter the lottery during the eight day period will have an equal chance of being selected for the AJC Peachtree Road Race. Entrants will be randomly selected after the lottery closes on March 31. All lottery entrants will receive an email by April 3 informing them of whether or not they were selected for the event. Searchable results of the selection process will also be posted on atlantatrackclub.org and AJC.com/peachtree on April 2.

​Voting opens today for the annual AJC Peachtree Road Race T-shirt Contest in which five Atlanta-area graphic designers are vying to have their artwork featured on the coveted AJC Peachtree Road Race Finisher’s Shirt.Throughout March, everyone is invited to AJC.com/peachtree and vote for their favorite design. The winner will be revealed at the 51st Running of the world’s largest 10K on Saturday, July 4, 2020.Artists were encouraged to incorporate the theme of this year’s race: Move Forward with Atlanta.

​​“We are excited to kick off the next 50 years of the AJC Peachtree Road Race,” said Rich Kenah, Race Director of the AJC Peachtree Road Race. “But a new chapter for this race can’t begin without its most sacred tradition, the AJC Peachtree Road Race T-Shirt Contest.”

​“The AJC Peachtree Road Race is so much more than just a 10k – it represents an important moment of community pride and one of the things that truly define Atlanta,” said AJC Marketing Vice President Amy Chown. “The t-shirt is something all wear with pride since the only way to get one is to cross the finish line”.

Nearly 200 designs were entered into this year’s contest. The finalists were chosen by staff members from Atlanta Track Club and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, as well as select participants of the Peachtree. The winning design is a closely guarded secret until the moment the first finisher crosses the line on the Fourth of July. The surprised winning designer receives $1,000 from the AJC and has their name forever written in the Peachtree history books.

​Voting is open through March 31 and anyone may vote once per day. Registration to participate in the AJC Peachtree Road Race opens March 15 and closes on March 31. Atlanta Track Club members receive guaranteed entry into the race. All others must enter into a lottery.

The AJC Peachtree Road Race is a 10K event that takes place every Fourth of July in Atlanta, Georgia. The first Peachtree was held in 1970 and featured 110 finishers. The AJC Peachtree Road Race is now the largest 10K running event in the world with 60,000 participants. The AJC Peachtree Road Race is perhaps most famous for the coveted AJC Peachtree Road Race T-shirt, which is handed out to all the event finishers. For more information on the AJC Peachtree Road Race visit peachtreeroadrace.org or AJC.com/peachtree. ​

Returning to BET Network’s for season 10 is America’s most inspirational singing competition, “Sunday Best.” The well-established gospel show welcomes back Grammy Award®-winningmusic legend Kirk Franklin as host. Returning for the second consecutive year as judges are gospel songstress and host of "Get Up Mornings," Erica Campbell, and Grammy-Award® nominated artists Kelly Price and Jonathan McReynolds.

Season 10 open call auditions will be held Saturday, February 15th in Atlanta, GA at The House of Hope (4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034; registration 6am-11am). Atlanta auditions will be filmed for television. Aspiring contestants should be age 18+ and should prepare to sing a song from the list below:

1. Amazing Grace2. Blessed Assurance3. Have Thine Own Way, Lord4. His Eye is On The Sparrow5. I Need Thee Every Hour6. I Surrender All7. It Is Well With My Soul8. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee9. Love Lifted Me10. Mary, Don’t You Weep11. Nothing But the Blood of Jesus12. O Come, All Ye Faithful (O Come Let Us Adore Him)13. Oh, How I Love Jesus14. Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior15. Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus16. What A Friend We Have In Jesus

​Aspiring contestants from around the country are encouraged to submit their audition online and get additional audition information at BET.com/SundayBest. The final day for online submissions is February 10, 2020, at 5:00 pm EST.

﻿For updates and more information about “Sunday Best”, please visit BET.com/SundayBest. Join the conversation on social media by logging on to our social media platforms using the hashtag: #BETSundayBest.

The theme of this year’s AJC Peachtree Road Race is “Move Forward with Atlanta.” Submissions should illustrate the way in which the iconic event continues to shape and reflect growth and change in Atlanta.

“Following an unforgettable celebration of its 50th Running, the AJC Peachtree Road Race moves forward into the next 50 years of the iconic event,” said Race Director Rich Kenah. “The artist who wins this year’s contest will be a major storyline of the Peachtree’s new chapter.”

Artists can submit up to three designs between today and February 1, 2020. Detailed instructions including size, color limits and file types can be found here. A panel of judges from Atlanta Track Club, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the running community will choose five finalists. The five finalists will be voted on by the public in March with the winning design being revealed at the finish line of the 51st Running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race on July 4, 2020. The artist will win $1,000 and their work will forever be part of Peachtree history.

The AJC Peachtree Road Race T-shirt contest has been a beloved tradition at the world’s largest 10K since 1995. New York Times Bestselling Author Emily Giffin was last year’s winner in a special celebrity edition of the contest. “Lucky Bib,” The design she submitted with local artist and runner Tina Tait received the most votes in the history of the contest.

The 51st Running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2020. The race begins at Lenox Square and ends in Piedmont Park. Registration for Atlanta Track Club members as well as the lottery opens on March 15, 2020.

ABOUT ATLANTA TRACK CLUB

Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

​With more than 30,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world, the Publix Atlanta Marathon, PNC Atlanta 10 Miler and Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.

ABOUT AJC PEACHTREE ROAD RACE

The AJC Peachtree Road Race is a 10K event that takes place every Fourth of July in Atlanta, Georgia. The first Peachtree was held in 1970 and featured 110 finishers. The AJC Peachtree Road Race is now the largest 10K running event in the world with 60,000 participants. ​

With the competition officially over, this will be an unforgettable night of fun with the final 2contestants, Kirk, the judges and an array of special guests as BET concludes the series with anall-star Gospel celebration. And of course, at the end of the show, BET will announce the winnerof Sunday Best season 9!

The season 9 winner will receive a recording contract with RCA Inspiration, a cash prize of $50,000 and the title “Sunday Best.” BET will crown the season 9 Sunday Best winner on Sunday, August 25th at 8:00PM ET/PT. The finale episode will feature special performances from GRAMMY Award®-winner Tasha Cobbs Leonard, multiple Stellar Award-winnerVaShawn Mitchell. Fans will also see soul stirring performances from judges Jonathan McReynolds, Kelly Price, and Erica Campbell debuting her new single “Praying & Believing.”

﻿For updates and more information about Sunday Best, please visit BET.com/SundayBest.Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag: #BETSundayBest.

Tune-into the season 9 finale of Sunday Best on Sunday, August 25th at 8:00PM ET/PT on BET.

Event Records Fall as AJC Peachtree Road Race Celebrates 50th Running

​Historic day in Atlanta as elites, legends, and 60,000 participate in world’s largest 10K

​ATLANTA – July 4, 2019 – The 50th Running of the AJC Peachtree Road Race re-wrote the event’s history books with four brand new event records and the fastest 10K ever run on U.S. soil. Behind the greatest athletes in the world, 60,000 participants streamed across the line at Piedmont Park, sweaty and smiling and celebrating half a century of Atlanta’s Fourth of July tradition.$200,000 in event record bonus prize money was up for grabs and today’s winners took it all with the men’s and women’ winners in both the footrace and the Shepherd Center Wheelchair division setting all-time bests at the Peachtree.

​In the women’s footrace, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei outlasted Agnes Tirop and Fancy Chemutai in an epic sprint to the finish, crossing the line in 30:21 to break the previously-held record of 30:32.

​“I want to say thank you to the people who were cheering us all the way,” Kosgei said. “They say ‘try, try, try’ and I was so happy for these people. I hope to come again next year to make a record again.”

​The men’s footrace featured Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto chasing perhaps the most untouchable record of all – 27:04, set by compatriot Joseph Kimani in 1996. That time was not only the event record but the fastest 10K ever run in the United States. Until now. Kirputo, the 19-year-old phenom, delivered in spades, running alone for nearly the entire race and covering the course from Lenox Square to the park in 27:01.

“I am happy for the win today,” said Kipruto. “When I was coming here I was coming for a course record and I thank God for that.”

​Both records also went down in the Shepherd Center wheelchair divisions. The women’s wheelchair race was another battle to the finish, as Switzerland’s Manuela Schar crossed just ahead of Tatyana McFadden and Susannah Scaroni to take the women’s title in 21:28 – 31 seconds ahead of the previous record of 22:09.

​On the men’s side, Daniel Romanchuk completed his three-peat at the Peachtree and took the event record that narrowly evaded him last year. He crossed the line in 18:11, shattering the previously-held event record of 18:38.

Manuela Schar

​“It’s amazing,” Schar said. “I was just happy to win it because it was such a tough race. To get that bonus is just huge.”

​“It still hasn’t entirely sunk in yet,” Romanchuk said. “It was a fast day and a great field. I was just sprinting all the way to go as fast as I could – It was a very strong record so I knew it had to be an all-out record. To have an equal payout for the record bonus, I’m lacking the words to describe it.”

Daniel Romanchuk

​The $50,000 bonus is the largest single payday in the history of elite wheelchair racing.Emily Sisson (Scottsdale, AZ) and Colin Bennie (Charlottesville, VA), were the top American finishers, running 32:03 and 29:12, respectively.Atlanta Track Club’s Wilkerson Given and Janel Blancett went home with the Top Georgian honors, as Given crossed in 30:12 and Blancett finished in 36:03.

​About an hour after the dramatics of the elite races came to a finish, notable Atlantans from across the years began to make their way across the 10th St. finish line. First, author Emily Giffin was revealed as the winner of the Peachtree’s T-shirt contest, with her design, titled “Lucky Bib,” unveiled as the chosen design to the race’s 60,000 participants. Created in collaboration with Atlanta Track Club member Tina Tait, the design was part of a special competition ahead of this year’s race, with submissions curated by notable Atlantans and Atlanta institutions.

“Honestly, that was the highlight of my life,” said Giffin, an Atlanta Track Club member who ran the race with her daughter, Harriet, while her sons and husband raced ahead. “It’s more than winning a contest – It’s the fact that this is my family’s passion. The Atlanta Track Club means so much to us and so it’s symbolic of what we do as a family.”

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms at the 50th AJC Peachtree Road Race

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms served as an official starter at Lenox Square, as she kicked off the race then walked the course with her staff for the second straight year.

“I was born in 1970, so to think that this race started seven months after I was born and that now I get to kick it off as Mayor it really is a dream come true for me and speaks to what’s possible in our city,” she said. “The Peachtree just speaks to Atlanta and the diversity that we have in this city. I’m grateful to Atlanta Track Club, our sanitation workers, our public safety personnel, and the Department of Public Works for making this race beautiful and clean and safe for all of us.”

​For the 50th straight July 4, Bill Thorn crossed the Peachtree’s finish line, as he continued his streak as the only member of the Original 110 finishers to complete every edition of the race. Walking alongside his friends, family, and former Atlanta Track Club Executive Director Julia Emmons, Thorn was ecstatic to have finished the Peachtree yet again.“It could’ve been just a fad,” said Thorn of his early Peachtree streak. “But as you go along through the years, people like Julia say to me every once in a while to keep going and that was really encouraging, and so it just became a year after year thing. Who ever would have imagined that little tiny group would have turned into this?”“Atlanta Track Club, its members and volunteers wanted to make the 50th Running of the Peachtree into an unforgettable celebration of the history and legacy of this race,” said Rich Kenah, Race Director of the AJC Peachtree Road Race and Executive Director of Atlanta Track Club. “And Running City USA delivered. This is a day that Atlanta will remember for years to come.”

About Atlanta Track Club

​Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

With more than 28,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world, the Publix Georgia Marathon, PNC Atlanta 10 Miler and Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.